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Villa amazing performance
Final comment here, and Villa will be going back to Birmingham very happy with their performance tonight. Always looked a threat on the counter, and worked incredibly hard for that despite the tight margins! Can they finish in the top 6 this season?
Full time!
It ends 0-1 to Aston Villa here after a quite fabulous defensive performance! Southampton will feel aggrieved after a clear penalty shout early on and a VAR offside decision that might quite possibly be the closest ever seen! Great game!
Ings denied by absolute margins!
I can't actually believe how close that was! The VAR lines were so close they were pretty much on top of each other. The commentator on sky joked that if the Saints weren't wearing black armbands in tribute of a former club president it would've been a goal. Astounding!
6 mins added time!
Is there still something in this for the Saints?
Astounding rear-guard action from Villa!
Southampton had a succession of 3 clear-cut chances and Villa blocked every one, one after the other. That was pure defensive brilliance! Wow.
Villa holding firm
Excellent defending fro. Villa now, really limiting Southampton to very little, and they still look dangerous on the counter-attack. 10 mins to go now.
Che Adams denied!
What a chance for Che Adams who got in behind Villa's defence from a free-kick, but Martinez made a fantastic save!
Che Adams on
30 mins left now.
Walcott now injured as well
Theo Walcott is being forced off here with what looks like a hamstring injury. When it rains, it pours for Southampton. They've been completely riddled with injuries to key players of late.
Ibrahima Diallo injured, Djenepo comes on
Looks like Djenepo has now gone to right-back with Ward-Prowse back in midfield.
Ward-Prowse free-kick
Ward-Prowse sees a free-kick blocked by the wall and receives a yellow card for attempting to stop Villa's resulting throw-in.
Second half underway
Can Southampton come back into this? They haven't scored in open play in 6 and a half games now. They get us back underway.
GOAL VILLA!
Jack Grealish picks out an exceptional cross to Barkley who heads home! Villa have upped it and reap the rewards! Great play by former Saints defender Targett as well!
Watkins denied by McCarthy!
Aston Villa's first real chance and Watkins found some space in the box and got a low driven shot on target, only for McCarthy to save! That looked a top chance!
Bertrand shoots wide!
Southampton are edging it now, and are looking good in possession. The ball fell forBertrand after a Villa clearance and he just puts it wide of the near post.
Fairly even so far
It's been quite balanced so far, but Southampton have had the better clear-cut chances and will certainly feel aggrieved at the penalty not given. It's a fascinating watch!
Penalty shout denied for Southampton
The ball hit Cash's hand and I expected that to be given! VAR says Villa indirect free-kick!
Kick off!
The game has kicked-off!
Both team pushing for Europe
Saints and Villa have both had exceptional campaigns so far and are in the running for the European places. Both teams have improved drastically from last season, and both teams play attractive, attacking football. I don't know about you, but I'm really looking forward to this one!
Where to watch
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports tonight for fans in the UK. 8pm kick-off time.
Last time out
The reverse fixture in early November was perhaps one of the most entertaining games so far this season, it ended 3-4 to Southampton with Villa coming back with 3 goals after being 0-4 down. Can we expect another entertaining match-up tonight? Two very attacking teams.
Aston Villa looking to push on
Villa lost 3-2 to Burnley in midweek, and are level on points with Saints with less games played. They'll be looking to extend that gap with an impressive win tonight.
Can Southampton get back on track after a dip in form?
Saints have only one win in their last seven games in the Premier League, and have had a huge drop in goals recently. They'll be looking to get back to their best selves tonight.
Team news in!
Southampton: McCarthy, Diallo, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand, Romeu, Ward-Prowse (c), Armstrong, Redmond, Walcott, Ings.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, mings, Targett, Douglas Luiz, Mcginn, Traore, Barkley, Grealish (c), Watkins.